I'm starting rifampin in a week or so, and I'm asking about how to deal with the totally cosmetic side effect - orange or red sweat.
I'm still working full time and I don't want to ruin all my nice clothing when I am giving a presentation or walking to/from the train and sweating a lot (thanks, babesia).
Do I wear all black for the time I'm on this med?? I'm already resigned to giving up contacts, so I supposed I could wear my black clothing only...If you have any advice on dealing with this side effect, please let me know.
If you have had any other positive or negative experiences with rifampin as a med for Lyme, Bart and so forth, I would appreciate those too.
Thanks!
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
For me, the only thing that turned orange was my urine. I was able to continue wearing my contact lenses while on it as well, with no problems. I don't ever remember my sweat turning red or orange. Perhaps not everyone reacts the same way.
Good luck to you. Rifampin is a powerful drug. Follow your LLMD's instructions as far as what to avoid while taking it and when to take it. I remember there being some supplements I needed to avoid, including milk thistle and CQ 10.
Posted by goose (Member # 45410) on :
It just turned my urine orange and that is about it as well.
dbpei,
I have taken milk thistle since day one of my treatment with rifampin. I've have never heard that you couldn't take them together. Could you or anyone provide what it does?
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
My LLNP had told me not to take milk thistle while taking Rifampin. But if you do a search, there is not a lot of information about it. I found this, which explains the reasoning.
Even the medical sites do not discuss milk thistle as being contra-indicated with rifampin. It might be a good idea to ask your LLMD.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Go SLOW!
Posted by didogs (Member # 40101) on :
Rifampin helped me tremendously. I started very slow and gradually increased. It was very powerful for me
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Cotton, at least next to your skin is more breathable than synthetic fabrics. Any clothing that is "wrinkle free" likely has some kind of Teflon chemical in / embedded in it and that will also keep it from being able to breathe.
As for all black, actually, some of the darker dyes can make one sweat more if from petroleum based dyes. I try not to wear dark colors next to my skin, especially under arms.
If you hand wash an item and see that it runs, that's a clue. If there is no running, that is better. Some items have a way to set the dye but some cut that corner and just let the dye transfer to the wearer.
Some kind of liver support is still vital (not just to help the liver but also the ears), but timed away from the Rx by a couple hours both clock directions is a good idea.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I don't know if it was rifampin but, my last month in college I was given some Rx for a bladder infection and my urine - much to my great surprise - turned bright red-orange.
I do not recall sweating color, though.
Eyesight, though was very much affected. Blurry vision was a huge surprise and nearly cost me my degree on time - and did cost me a "D" in a class since I could not read for weeks.
This is not to scare you but do look up possible effects and just be sure that blurry vision is not listed. If it is, knowing that in advance will sure help a great deal so you can plan ahead and get some kind of support team at work. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I realized it can be an unnecessary burden to say this might cause blurry vision so I went searching for you. Found out that "blurry vision" is not the preferred medical term so found a few "hits" with
". . . 17 posts discuss Blurred Vision with Rifampin. Blurred Vision is #109 concern in Rifampin discussions. . . . " (end excerpt)
Knowing it's best to go straight to the manufacturer's website for the effects list, it seems there are a few different manufacturers so you could take it from there.
Back to my thought that some kind of liver support is necessary, [I have no way to phrase this for a smooth transition but just know I mean well here with my caution on this.]
They tell you here how to decrease possible body sweat color:
. . . U.S. as Rifadin (Aventis), Rifater (combination with isoniazid and pyrazinamide) (Aventis), Rimactane (Novartis) . . . .
. . . "Taking rifampicin can cause certain bodily fluids, such as urine and tears, to become orange-red in color, a benign side effect which can be frightening if it is not expected and prepared for.
This effect may also be used to monitor effective absorption of the drug (if drug color is not seen in the urine, the patient may wish to move the drug dose farther in time from food or milk intake).
The discolorizion of sweat and tears is not directly noticeable, . . . "
". . . The most serious adverse effect is related to rifampicin's hepatotoxicity, and patients receiving it often undergo baseline and frequent liver function tests to detect liver damage. . . . " -
[ 10-19-2015, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by paleogal (Member # 45991) on :
Thanks for all the thoughts, all. I am hopeful it will be good for me! I can put up with orange everything, I guess, if it gets rid of Lyme.
My doctor didn't recommend ramping up, just starting flat out. Does anyone have a protocol for ramping up? Like 1 tab 1x per day for a week, then 2 tabs 1x per day?
Thanks...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: - I don't know if it was rifampin but, my last month in college I was given some Rx for a bladder infection and my urine - much to my great surprise - turned bright red-orange.
- no, that's a different drug entirely .. It's for bladder pain, but right now the name of it escapes me. It's similar to AZO.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
paleo .. you'll need to talk to your dr about that... It can be a very rough drug.
Posted by Bitten in Bergen (Member # 34067) on :
My kid was treated with rifampin for their bartonella and was put on too high an initial dose - it caused a flare and they had blood in their urine, which is a common side effect of bartonella.